going vegetarian to see a doctor? Vegetarianism is NOT A DISEASE! Why don't non vegs need to see a doctor to learn why it is okay to eat a diet full of animal protein, artificial colors, preservatives, etc. Oh, thats right, the docs can prescribe DRUGS to counteract the bad diet, so why bother. So amusing the way closed minds work. Too funny...
2007-02-18 06:27:44 · 9 answers · asked by beebs 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
I hear ya! My husband and I went through that, too. Although, it was mainly his family that was nervous about it. I guess people just know how they have been raised and anything different is bad. Americans are ignorant and refuse to believe that anything that is different than what they believe or do could be better than what they are doing!
2007-02-18 06:45:28 · answer #1 · answered by jenniferaboston 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because they assume a doctor is the same thing as a nutritionist, Which they aren't. Doctors not only are not trained in diet related areas unless they specialize in it, doctors have a shorter life span then the average person.
Whats funny is many Well known doctors and chefs become vegetarian as they find more about it, or really find no worries about it.
When I was pregnant and worried about my diet my doctor was unconcerned as was my midwife and have been both my sons pediatrician simply stating not to worry because a vegetarian diet was very healthy.
People forget The food pyramid and doctors recommend 6-11 servings of grain a day, 3-5 of vegetables, and 2-4 of fruits, and that these servings are MORE important then your servings of meat and dairy.
If the average person ate that many servings of each day they wouldn't have much room for the servings of meat. Studies have shown most Americans fall extremely SHORT on their servings of fruits and vegetables, but vegetarians get the recommended amount.
As well vegetarians don't often eat a lot of fast food (partly because of lack of options) so they are eating healthier alternatives.
A vegetarian diet is what doctors recommended all all and some don't even know it.
2007-02-18 16:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by slawsayssss 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes what you said may be the case. Most of the time though they just want to make sure you're going to get the right nutrients from your foods.
Going to your regular doctor isn't a good idea though. They know barely anything about a healthy diet. You would go to a dietician (I believe I spelled that completly wrong).
2007-02-18 09:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by Deb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be that they aren't suggesting you find cure or treatment. Perhaps they actually have your best interest in mind and just want to make sure that you understand how to still get a balanced diet with all the nutrients you need. A better suggestion may be to do your research and talk to a doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist if needed. If they are indeed suggesting you need help because of your dietary choice then they are the ones who need help. My youngest child is on a gluten free diet for various reasons. I had several people try to talk me out of it because it is a difficult diet to follow and is inconvenient (this seemed to outweigh the health benefit in their mind). I did not listen to them and supervise his diet when he is around them. If they cannot/will not follow his dietary needs (placing convenience first) then I don't allow him over there without someone I know will monitor his diet.
2007-02-18 06:45:07 · answer #4 · answered by Starshine 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because they have grown up with crazy belief that animal flesh is this all-giving, all-nourishing, miracle food.
Because if they realized how little dead animals provide, and how little we need of of the few things they do provide, they might accidentally find out that we don't have to torture or slaughter in order to survive or be healthy, and saying "It tastes sooooo goood" isn't quite an acceptable cost/value analysis.
Some are trying to be helpful and don't know any better, but others are buttheads.
:)
2007-02-18 13:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by Squirtle 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you're the close minded one. maybe they're not thinking it's a "disease" as you so lovingly put it. maybe they're having your best interests at heart, and actually caring about you, as a person, and believe that you should probably go see a doctor before going on any diet, whether it be to just lose weight, or a life altering diet such as vegetarianism, or veganism. Maybe they're thinking the doctor would be the person that would be able to tell exactly how to get the proteins and iron that you're going to be lacking when you cut the meat out of your diet. maybe these people Actually care about you. Unlike you, who apparently would rather tell these people to shut the hell up and blindly follow you into the world of vegetarianism. Putting the almighty cow and chicken on a pedestal above your fellow man.
2007-02-18 07:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Because people are ignorant and don't bother to learn the facts.
2007-02-18 06:42:28 · answer #7 · answered by Cranberry 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They are prejudice.Rather than go and actually look up info,they go off of their own judgement,it is the easy(lazy) way of doing stuff.
2007-02-18 08:46:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Because when people become vegetarian or vegan without knowing their facts, they can very easily become malnourished.
2007-02-18 09:59:57 · answer #9 · answered by Jordan D 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋